Favourites France swept to victory beating England 25-13 in Paris to claim their first Six Nations title in twelve years, and their sixth overall.
French captain Antoine Dupont, arguably the world’s best player right now, capped off victory scoring the winning try to seal the Grand Slam for his side and win the Guinness Man of the Match in the process.
At the heart of most things his side did well, his tackle on Maro Itoje when England threatened in the first half, followed by a monster clearing kick moments later, was one of the key passages in the first half.
Tries from Francois Cros and Gael Fickou gave the hosts a strong half time lead, leaving England with an uphill battle on their hands in the second half.
The size of the occasion appeared to be weighing heavy on the shoulders of the English but Marcus Smith did manage to convert a free kick to make it 8-3 after 20 minutes.
Despite another free kick from Smith, the hosts were quick to continue their dominance however and a conversion from Melvyn Jaminet following a try on the stroke of the half made it 18-6 at the break.
π«π·π ππ πππππππ πππ ππππ ! ππ«π·#NeFaisonsXV #LeTournoiEstBleu pic.twitter.com/skq9kZIARi
β France Rugby #LeTournoiEstBleu ππ«π· (@FranceRugby) March 19, 2022
England did come back fighting at the start of the second half as Smith once again converted following a brilliant try from Freddie Steward to make it 18-13. However, this was the visitors final involvement in the game as the eventual winners stepped up their game in the final half hour with the try from Dupont being rounded off with another conversion from Jaminet to wrap up victory for the French.
The RFU have stated they “fully support” England head coach Eddie Jones despite England’s performance at the tournament, with Jones stating “we’re not quite good enough at the moment”.
Ugo Monye brands RFU statement on Eddie Jones ‘dishonest’. #EnglandRugby #EddieJones #RFU https://t.co/LPoN1f7TgK
β Andrew Duncan (@andrewsduncan1) March 21, 2022
Many however, have called for Jones’ resignation and felt the RFU’s statement following defeat in Paris was flawed with former England player Ugo Monye branding the statement “dishonest”.
An underwhelming Six Nations performance from England who look ahead to the World Cup in France next year with doubt now looming on whether or not Eddie Jones will be at the helm for the 2023 tournament.
